SolfataraHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Solfatara targets a specific player and creates a continuous effect that lasts for the remainder of the current turn. This effect explicitly forbids that player from taking the special action of playing a land. Additionally, it sets up a delayed triggered ability that draws you a card at the start of the very next upkeep, regardless of whose turn that is.

How It Resolves Step by Step

First, you cast Solfatara and choose a target player. Upon resolution, the restriction is immediately applied to that player; they cannot play lands from their hand (or other zones like the graveyard via Crucible of Worlds) for the rest of the turn. Finally, the game tracks the timing for the 'next turn's upkeep.' When that upkeep phase begins, the delayed trigger goes on the stack, and you draw a card when it resolves.

Common Mistakes

The most important distinction is that Solfatara only prevents 'playing' a land. It does not prevent effects that 'put' a land onto the battlefield. If a spell or ability tells a player to put a land onto the battlefield, Solfatara will not stop that land from entering. Also, remember that the card draw is not immediate; it waits until the next upkeep phase starts.

When to Play It

To maximize the disruption, cast Solfatara during your opponent's upkeep or draw step. This ensures they cannot play their land for the turn during their main phase. Because it 'cantrips' (draws a card), it is a low-risk way to cycle through your deck while potentially keeping an opponent off a critical mana milestone.

Interaction examples

Direct Disruption

You cast Solfatara targeting your opponent during their upkeep. On their main phase, they have a Mountain in hand. Because the effect of Solfatara is active, they are legally prohibited from playing that Mountain. At the start of your turn's upkeep, Solfatara's delayed trigger goes on the stack and you draw a card.

Interaction with Put Effects

Chaos Warp

You cast Solfatara on your opponent. Later that turn, you cast Chaos Warp on one of their creatures. Your opponent shuffles and reveals the top card of their library, which is a Forest. Despite Solfatara's restriction, the Forest is put onto the battlefield because Chaos Warp 'puts' the card there rather than the player 'playing' it.

Changing the Target

Deflecting Swat

You cast Solfatara targeting an opponent. In response, that opponent casts Deflecting Swat. They choose to change the target of Solfatara to you. When Solfatara resolves, you are the one who cannot play lands for the rest of the turn. However, since you are the controller of the spell, you will still be the one who draws a card at the beginning of the next upkeep.